Durango, CO (Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park) - 2026

 It was a really long drive to Black Canyon of the Gunnison but the views were spectacular. It reminded of the Grand Canyon only the walls were dark and instead of the Colorado River carving its way through the bottom it was the Gunnison River. We walked out to the many view points and Echo enjoyed all the smells.

Tomichi Point

Pulpit Rock Point

This picture shows you how the south side and north side are sloped differently. It is all relative to the sun, in the winter, when the Black Canyon receives the majority of its precipitation - in the form of snow - the sun is lower in the southern sky. The sun shines mostly on the northern slope evaporating the moisture off the wall. Snow on the south side remains on the walls throughout the winter. Melting and refreezing breaks up the south slope's rocks, creating soil and habitat for plants to take root.

Cross Fissures

Painted Wall